Prot. N. 2022001
HIS EXCELLENCY
MOST REVEREND JACQUES FABRE-JEUNE, CS
By the Grace of God and Authority of the Apostolic See
BISHOP OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
DECREE RELEGATING
SISTERS OF CHARITY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY MOTHERHOUSE CHAPEL,
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA,
TO PROFANE BUT NOT SORDID USE
Canon 1222 §2: Where other grave causes suggest that a church no longer be used for divine worship, the diocesan bishop, after having heard the presbyteral council, can relegate it to profane but not sordid use, with the consent of those who legitimately claim rights for themselves in the church and provided that the good of souls suffers no detriment thereby.
Whereas the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy purchased the 23.1 acres of property located at 424 Fort Johnson Road in Charleston, South Carolina, in April of 1946; and
Whereas the Sisters completed construction of their motherhouse and convent in 1958; and
Whereas the Sisters have recently sold said property, together with its buildings and improvements, to the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas the Sisters subsequently now domicile at the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community; and
Having considered the relative proximity of other worship communities and churches; and
Having ensured the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy are to be provided for by the Church of the Nativity Parish in Charleston, South Carolina, and, therefore, the good of souls of all concerned suffers no detriment; and
Having ensured the altar and all sacred objects previously located within the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy Motherhouse Chapel edifice have been removed; and
Wherefore, willingly desiring in all things to promote the greater glory of God and desirous of providing for the good of souls; and
Having sought and heard the counsel of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Charleston on January 25, 2022; and
Having faithfully observed the requirements of the law; and
Invoking the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Mother, the Ever-Blessed Virgin Mary,
I, the undersigned Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina, exercising my ordinary power, herewith relegate the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy Motherhouse Chapel edifice in Charleston, South Carolina, to profane but not sordid use, in accordance with the norms of canon 1222 §2.
This Decree is effective beginning 19 July 2022. It is to be communicated to the faithful of the Diocese and published on the website for the Diocese of Charleston, charlestondiocese.org, which will be presumed the official notification of this action. A petition for revocation or emendation of this decree is subject to canons 1732 – 1739.
Given at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 25th day of July 2022.
Most Reverend Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS
Bishop of Charleston
Sr. Sandra Makowski, SSMN, JCL
Chancellor